Geordie goes to Hollywood

Newcastle United have won a starring part in a much-hyped Hollywood blockbuster about the beautiful game.

St James's Park will be where the fictional hero of the film, played by Amores Perros star Gael Garcia Bernal, achieves footballing fame and fortune.

Peter Hargitay of Milkshake Films, the company behind the big-budget movie, confirmed yesterday that Newcastle had beaten Manchester United and Chelsea to the money-spinning role, which will boost the Tyneside club's profile overseas and could be worth tens of millions of pounds.

Goal is being touted as soccer's 'breakthrough' project in America and has been endorsed by Fifa, the game's governing body. The film has been budgeted at $30 million and is the first of a trilogy following the fortunes of a soccer-mad Latino boy from the US who earns his spurs in England before moving to Spanish giants Real Madrid. Newcastle's involvement is to be finalised next month.

Goal could feature cameos from Sir Bobby Robson, the Newcastle manager, and Toon skipper Alan Shearer. Producers are trying to line up David Beckham for the Madrid-based sequel. Product placement will also be important and Newcastle's success is thought to owe something to its close relationship with Adidas, which also sponsors Real Madrid.